OnePlus 9 Pro vs Huawei nova 8i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 9 Pro
Oneplus

General

Launch Date March 30, 2021 July 22, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 104.5 cm³ 104.01 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.4 "/g 3.51 "/g
Weight 197 g 190 g
Height 163.2 mm 161.9 mm
Width 73.6 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.7 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Forest Green
  • Morning Mist
  • Stellar Black
  • Starry Black
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Interstellar Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.67 "
Resolution 1440 x 3216 1080 x 2376
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.9 % 89.4 %
Pixel Density 525 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1300 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.25 mAh/in² 96.65 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.06 mAh/cm³ 41.34 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 4300 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
GPU Adreno 660 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 10
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9 Pro and Huawei nova 8i, highlighting their practical implications:

FeatureOnePlus 9 ProHuawei nova 8iPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mmOnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller, Huawei nova 8i is slightly wider. Overall, similar hand feel.
Weight197g190gHuawei nova 8i is negligibly lighter, which might be slightly noticeable for extended use.
Display
Size6.7"6.67"Virtually identical screen sizes, no significant difference in daily use.
Resolution1440 x 32161080 x 2376OnePlus 9 Pro offers much sharper images, text and video, better detail clarity, especially noticeable for high-res content and VR.
Pixel Density (PPI)525391OnePlus 9 Pro's screen will appear noticeably crisper and more detailed than the Huawei nova 8i.
TechnologyIPS LCDThe Huawei nova 8i uses IPS LCD technology. The OnePlus 9 Pro's technology is not specified, however, it is not IPS LCD.
Refresh Rate120Hz60HzOnePlus 9 Pro provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience.
Brightness1300 nits0 nitsOnePlus 9 Pro offers far better visibility in bright sunlight conditions. Huawei nova 8i brightness is not specified, which could mean less visibility in bright environments
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly faster, more responsive, and future-proof for demanding apps and games.
AnTuTu Score877,600201,000OnePlus 9 Pro delivers drastically superior performance in all areas: app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 610OnePlus 9 Pro offers far better graphics performance, enabling higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding games.
Camera
Standard Camera48MP (f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm, Sony IMX789)64MP (f/1.9, 0.8µm)OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, resulting in potentially better low-light performance and image quality.
Selfie Camera16MP (f/2.4, 1/3.13", 0.7µm, Sony IMX471)16MP (f/2.0, Pixel size unspecified)Huawei nova 8i has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies, but the lack of a pixel size makes comparison difficult.
Telephoto Lens8MP (f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm, OV08A10)NoneOnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed photos.
Wide-Angle Lens50MP (f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Sony IMX766)8MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm)OnePlus 9 Pro's wide-angle lens captures significantly more detail, with higher resolution.
Portrait LensNone2MP (f/2.4, 1.75µm)Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated portrait lens for depth effects.
Macro LensNone2MP (f/2.4, 1.75µm)Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Black & White Lens2MP (f/2.4)NoneOnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white lens to assist in the production of monochrome photographs
Video8K@30fps, 4K@120fps w/HDR, EIS1080p@30fpsOnePlus 9 Pro offers far higher video quality with higher resolutions, frame rates and stabilization.
DxOMark (Mobile)122 (Photo: 124, Video: 118)Not TestedOnePlus 9 Pro has a tested camera performance, providing a reference point
Battery
Capacity4500mAh4300mAhOnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly larger battery which may translate to slightly longer battery life, although real-world usage will be impacted by various factors.
Charging65W Fast Charging66W Fast ChargingBoth offer very fast charging, but the Huawei nova 8i is marginally faster.
FeaturesWireless, Reverse, Reverse Wireless ChargingNoneOnePlus 9 Pro has additional charging features that offer additional convenience for charging needs
Other
RAM8GB or 12GB6GBOnePlus 9 Pro can handle more demanding apps and multitasking more smoothly.
Storage128GB or 256GB128GBOnePlus 9 Pro offers more storage options, potentially useful for users with large media libraries.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for additional storage
SoftwareAndroid 11, upgradable to 14Android 10OnePlus 9 Pro has a newer and longer supported software experience
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownOnePlus 9 Pro uses a known protective glass for more protection against scratches and light drops
Fingerprint SensorBasicSide-MountedHuawei nova 8i features a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness resulting in a vastly better visual experience, especially for gaming and high-definition content.
  • Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much faster processing, app loading, and smoother multitasking than the Snapdragon 662.
  • More Versatile Camera System: Includes optical zoom, a superior wide-angle lens, and high-resolution 8K video recording, offering more creative freedom and higher quality output.
  • More Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, a better WiFi standard and more accurate GPS systems.
  • Better Software Support: Comes with a newer Android version and a clear upgrade path for future versions.

Practical Implications: The OnePlus 9 Pro will feel like a premium device in everyday use, with smooth performance, a brilliant display, and high-quality photos and videos.

Huawei nova 8i Advantages:

  • Slightly Lighter: Minimal weight advantage.
  • Faster Charging Speed: The difference is likely marginal and unlikely to be noticeable in most cases.
  • Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lens: Provides users with more options for photographs
  • Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Offers more modern style and ergonomic access to the sensor.

Practical Implications: The Huawei nova 8i offers a budget-friendly smartphone with standard functionality at a lower cost.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • OnePlus 9 Pro: Higher price point.
  • Huawei nova 8i: Significantly lower performance, a lower quality display, and a less versatile camera system, and an older operating system.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for OnePlus 9 Pro:

  • Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera quality, flexibility, and video recording capabilities.
  • Multimedia Consumers: People who enjoy high-resolution content, smooth animations, and bright displays for a better visual experience.
  • Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technology, performance and features with access to the latest Android updates.

Use Cases:

* Gaming, especially graphically intense games
* Editing photos and videos on the go
* Watching high-resolution movies and videos
* Using apps that need high performance and faster loading times

Ideal User for Huawei nova 8i:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for a reliable smartphone at a lower cost.
  • Casual Users: People who use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media.
  • Basic Photographers: Users who take occasional photos and don't need advanced camera features.

Use Cases:

* Basic social media and communication needs
* Casual web browsing and e-mail
* General everyday tasks and media consumption

Price-to-Value Ratio: The OnePlus 9 Pro offers a much higher value proposition for users who are willing to pay more for a premium experience with top-tier performance, a superior display, and a more versatile camera system. The Huawei nova 8i provides value for those on a tighter budget who prioritize affordability over top-of-the-line features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is performance? Do you need a phone for gaming and demanding tasks, or just basic functionality?
  2. How important is display quality? Do you require a very sharp, bright, and smooth display for media consumption or other tasks?
  3. What are your camera needs? Do you need professional-grade quality, or are basic photos sufficient?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Heavy Usage & Gaming: If you're a gamer or a power user, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice due to its superior performance, display, and features.
  • Scenario 2: Casual Use & Budget: If you primarily use your phone for browsing, social media, and basic tasks, the Huawei nova 8i will be a suitable choice.
  • Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: If you value versatile cameras with zoom capabilities and high-quality video recording, the OnePlus 9 Pro is much better.

Personal Choice:

Personally, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While it comes at a higher price point, the advantages it offers in terms of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are far too compelling for my use cases. I frequently use my phone for media consumption, gaming, and photography, and the OnePlus 9 Pro would provide a significantly better experience for all of these tasks. The higher refresh rate, significantly better performance, and more versatile camera setup make it a clear winner, despite the price difference. The advanced features such as the wireless charging and the longer software support also make it a better investment long term. I would find the sacrifices made for a budget phone like the Huawei nova 8i too great in everyday usage.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.